Penguins

PHOTO BY DAVID MERRON

New Polar Ships

Over the next two years, cruise companies will launch at least 12 new ice-class ships that will spend six to eight months each year in and around polar regions, delivering Shackleton-style thrills. With once-inconceivable technology, these vessels will think greener, provide smoother sails in rough seas, and plow deeper into remote regions, edging closer to the true North and South Poles. An added bonus: Their luxury levels approach, if not top, megabucks yachts. Here, our guide to these ice-bound newcomers sure to transform Antarctic and Arctic sails into the coolest cruises imaginable.

BY JANICE WALD HENDERSON — Fall 2018

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Blue Eye lounge on Ponant cruise ship

Le Lapérouse and Le Champlain

French bilingual line Ponant triumphs with these 184-passenger twins for Arctic exploration. They feature a Gallic chic design, with elegant king-size-bed staterooms, pool with countercurrent swimming, and theater with an LED wall as the stage backdrop. An adjustable hydraulic platform provides easier Zodiac embarkation for expeditions.

More to like:Experience close encounters with wildlife and sip martinis on a vibrating couch in Blue Eye, the utterly futuristic multisensory underwater lounge delivering real-time marine views and sounds. Yes, crew members pour passengers Veuve Clicquot on icebergs.

Sails:Le Lapérouse debuted its Arctic route in June, with no plans for a return before 2020, at the soonest. Le Champlain launches in October and departs on its first Arctic voyage May 30, 2019 — sailing eight days round-trip Reykjavik, Iceland. Three more identical cruises in August.

Greg Mortimer

From Aussie company Aurora Expeditions, this ship sails with 120 passengers in polar regions and comes with a hot commodity —
an X-Bow that pierces waves with greater stability than a traditional bow. Besides improving fuel efficiency and reducing air emissions, the X-Bow promises far smoother sails in even high seas. Plus, the ship can anchor without disturbing the sea floor via GPS technology and high-tech steering to hold position without using heavy chains and anchors.

More to like: Most cabins have balconies. The ship will also boast a wellness center, 360-degree open deck and sundeck, and library. In Antarctica, ski down virgin glacial slopes and go mountaineering. In the Arctic, polar snorkeling and scuba diving entice.

MS Roald Amundsen

With its auxiliary electric engine, this 530-passenger ship from Hurtigruten can reduce CO2 emissions by 20 percent.

More to like: Cabin and suite designs embrace native Norwegian materials such as birch, oak, and wool, and amenities include three restaurants, infinity pools, saunas, gyms, Jacuzzis, and large observation platforms. A science center will offer workshops in subjects such as photography and biology. Next-gen underwater drones will deliver real-time video to iPads and smartphones. Better yet, don a mask digitally displaying that real-time ocean-view video. It’s so virtual reality-ish, like deep-water diving without getting wet.

Sails:Roald Amundsen debuts next May, with the first Arctic cruise sailing 12 days between Longyearbyen, Norway, and Reykjavik, Iceland, departing July 26, 2019.

More to like: Enjoy 10 dining experiences, two heated pools, and a spa. In the owner’s penthouse suite, soak in a private outdoor Jacuzzi, sipping bubbly. The ship ups the luxe quotient even more with a submarine and two helicopters.

Looking ahead: Scenic plans to launch a yet-to-be named Scenic Eclipse twin in 2020. The first Arctic expedition cruises for 13 days between Copenhagen and Tromsø, Norway, departing June 10, 2020. Subsequent journeys meander the region until September.

Le Bellot and Le Surville

Along with the traditional Ponant yachtlike vibe, these 184-passenger sister ships will introduce more advanced vessel technology, such as nonintrusive underwater projectors so guests can observe the seabed without risk to the marine biosphere.

Quark Expeditions’ Solely Polar Vessel

This yet-unnamed ship will carry 200 passengers and focus on polar travel only, sailing to uncommon destinations such as the Ross Sea. New safety designs include two separate engine rooms and a fully operational emergency bridge.